Kazakhstan: Authorities maintaining COVID-19-related domestic and international entry restrictions as of Sept. 20 /update 47

Event

Authorities in Kazakhstan have amended domestic measures imposed to limit the spread of COVID-19 as of Sept. 20. Officials use a color-coded system to track COVID-19 activity in the country and impose cumulative local restrictions accordingly. Regions are classified as one of three zones - green, yellow, or red - in order of increasing risk of transmission.

Turkestan and Zhambyl regions are classified as green zones. The following measures remain in place in these locations:

• Public transportation and nonessential businesses are operating; all establishments must operate at reduced capacity and enforce social distancing.

• Residents may exercise in groups of no more than five people.

• Public events, including weddings, may not exceed 10 participants.

• Recreational and cultural facilities, such as cinemas or nightclubs, may not operate on weekends.

• Authorities recommend that employees work from home.

• Residents must wear protective facemasks and practice social distancing while in public.

• Persons over 65 years of age are not permitted to leave their accommodation except to perform essential tasks.

Almaty (excluding Almaty city), East Kazakhstan, North Kazakhstan, West Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Mangistau, and Shymkent regions are classified as yellow zones. The following additional measures are typically enforced in yellow zones:

• Public events, sporting events, weddings, and mass rallies are banned.

• Public transport operates from 06:00-23:00 Monday-Saturday and is suspended on Sundays.

• Catering establishments may only operate from 07:00-23:00.

• Shopping centers must close at 17:00 on weekends.

Nur-Sultan, Almaty (city only), Akmola, Aktobe, Atyrau, Karaganda, Kostanay, and Pavlodar regions are classified as Red zones. Additional restrictive measures in red zones include the following:

• Health checkpoints are in place on roads approaching settlements where the daily incidence of COVID-19 exceeds 10 new infections per day.

• Public transport is suspended on weekends and public holidays.

• No standing passengers are allowed on public transport.

• Freight transporters may not enter these regions without evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken within the preceding 72 hours; transporters who fail to produce such evidence will be placed in a quarantine facility for at least two days.

• Operating hours have been reduced, and capacity restricted at restaurants, cafes, theaters, cinemas, shopping malls, and leisure facilities.

• Places of worship and cultural venues are not permitted to open.

Nationwide, authorities require residents to obtain a government-provided QR code via the Ashyq mobile application to visit government offices and certain public spaces, including leisure facilities, cultural venues, and entertainment establishments. Ashyq codes are also required to gain entry to international airports in Almaty and Nur-Sultan. Residents will have their app scanned at each establishment; each QR code scan will reveal a resident's color-coded risk rating:

• Red - movement restricted to self-isolation regime.

• Yellow - movement partially restricted; essential trips to nearest pharmacy and grocery store permitted

• Blue - no specific restrictions

• Green - no specific restrictions, and the user has a negative result in a COVID-19 PCR test.

International Travel Restrictions
Visa-free travel remains suspended. Authorities have also suspended 72-hour visa-free stays for Chinese and Indian nationals. However, flights with several countries have resumed, including Belarus, Egypt, Germany, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, the Netherlands, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Uzbekistan, though capacity is likely to be limited.

International arrivals must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test taken no more than 72 hours before entry into Kazakhstan or a vaccination certificate. This restriction does not apply to diplomats, aircrew, train crews, ship crews, and cross-border workers; however, freight truck drivers must provide a negative test. Returning Kazakh nationals who do not produce a negative test or vaccine certificate upon arrival will be tested and placed in quarantine for at least three days. All symptomatic individuals will be hospitalized, while asymptomatic individuals must self-isolate for a further 12 days.

Authorities could reimpose, extend, further ease, or otherwise amend any restrictions with little-to-no notice depending on disease activity over the coming weeks.

Advice

If traveling to major cities, check access requirements, minimize movement within any quarantined zones, and allow additional time for travel. Reconfirm all flights and business appointments. Follow all official directives. Abide by national health and safety measures. Liaise with trusted contacts for further updates and guidance. Ensure contingency plans account for further disruptive measures or extensions of current restrictions. Prepare for freight delivery disruptions. Maintain contact with your diplomatic representation.